CAMERA MASTER – THE DIGITAL VIDEO MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
THE DIGITAL VIDEO MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
By: Frank McClatchie
FM SYSTEMS, INC.
FM SYSTEMS INC. has developed a new measurement technology in the CM-1 CAMERA MASTER. This meter displays video SYNC. amplitude (Video Level), White amplitude (Iris Setting), Composite amplitude (Video Peak to Peak Level), and Color Burst amplitude (Slope Equalization) in I.R.E. Units, as well as the Optimum camera Focus setting. These are digital measurements, with 1% accuracy in a small hand-held, battery operated meter.
This new development enables precision video measurement to be made in the field as well as in the studio. These video level measurements are actually more accurate than is possible with a Wave Form Monitor, and being observed on a digital display, also requires no interpretation or the intense observational skills required when reading a Wave Form Monitor.
The Color Burst measurement, when compared to the Sync. amplitude measures the slope loss in a cable run (or gain in an over equalized cable run). It is also useful for setting slope equalization on Video Distribution Amplifiers and other video facilities. Both Sync. and Color Burst amplitude are measured in I.R.E Units so Chromanance to Luminance amplitude inequality can be measured to +/- 0.2 dB accuracy or better.
The Focus measurement effectively measures the number of information pixels that can be discerned on any given picture. The sharper the focus, the larger the number of discernable pixels of information content. Thus on any given scene, the sharper the focus, the higher the information content of a scene, the higher the reading.
This Camera Master is ideal for setting video levels and slope equalization in microwave terminals, video STL, satellite receivers, Video Distribution Amplifiers, Routing Switchers, and even measuring for the presence or absence of video on patch bays. An Engineer can easily carry the CM-1 in his pocket so measurements can be made on the spot without hunting down a portable Wave Form Monitor cart with all the attendant loose power cables and other impediments.
The CM-1 CAMERA MASTER can be seen in operation in the FM SYSTEMS INC. booth # 18282 at the NAB show or further information can be obtained by writing FM SYSTEMS INC. at 3877 South Main Street, Santa Ana, CA. 92707 or by calling TEL: 800-235-6960, 714-979-3355 or FAX: 714-979-3355.
